*** Official Husker Yards to Glory Thread ***

[knapplc]

Every once in a while ESPN has a good idea. Their "Yards to Glory" feature is one of them, but it just doesn't have enough Huskers in it. So let's do our own, entirely of Husker TDs throughout the years.

I'll compile them all here, in this thread. We'll start with 100, meaning any TD from the End Zone to paydirt, and work our way down to One Yard.

One note - GET YOUR YARDAGE RIGHT. Look at Huskers.com for official stats if you have questions.


 

Husker Yards to Glory:

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 - Niles Paul's kickoff return vs. Oklahoma State, 2010.
99 - Tommy Armstrong to Quincy Enunwa vs. Georgia in the 2014 Outback Bowl (replaced Joe Walker, kickoff return vs. Louisiana Tech, 1998)
98 - Johnny Rodgers kickoff return vs. Texas A&M, 1971 (longest play in Rodgers' career; 2:57 of the video)
97 - Sam Francis' kickoff return in the 1938 opener vs. Iowa State 
96 - Herm Rohrig's kickoff return vs. Missouri in 1938 
95 - Eric Crouch runs past the entire defense vs Missouri in 2001 (1:32 of the video)
94 - Courtney Grixby's kick return in 2007 against K-State
93 - Mike Rozier vs. Kansas State during the Scoring Explosion years, 1983
92 - Willie Ross' kickoff return against Miami in the 1962 Gotham Bowl (Nebraska bowl record)
91 - Jack Dodd returns a fumble recovery against Minnesota in 1938 
90 - Calvin Jones run vs. Oklahoma State in 1992 on his way to a 9 carry, 176 yard, 2 TD day
89 - Jarvis Redwine streaks down the sideline early in the 1980 OU game
88 - Nate Swift's punt return against VA Tech in 2008
87 - Dave Butterfield's punt return vs. TCU in 1976 en route to a 64-10 win.
86 - Cory Ross ices the game in the fourth (on a fairly icy day with the wind) against Missouri, 2004.
85 - Kenny Cheatham kickoff return vs. Oklahoma, 2006
84 - Tom Rathman's run against sCUm in 1985.
83 - Ralph Brown's 83-yard interception return vs Oklahoma, 1996
82 - Rick Berns run on the first play from scrimmage vs Missouri, 1978, the week after Osborne's first win over OU.
81 - Bobby Reynolds' scamper against Colorado, 10/14/1950 - courtesy Brian Christopherson
80 - Dan Alexander run @ Colorado 1999 where he out-ran a Colorado sprinter (0:41 of the video)
79 - Kyler Reed's reception from Taylor Martinez vs. Kansas State, 2010
78 - Richard Bell pass from Steve Taylor vs. South Carolina, 1987
77 - Johnny Rodgers' punt return vs. Alabama in the Orange Bowl, 1972
76 - Taylor Martinez runs over, under, around and through the Wisconsin defense in the 2012 B1G Championship
75 - "How many tackles can one man break?" Tommie Frazier "The Run" vs. Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl
74 - Niles Paul 74 yard TD from Lee in the 2010 Holiday Bowl
73 - Joe Walker saves Nebraska's bacon against Okie Lite in Arrowhead with a punt return in the fourth in 1998
72 - "Man, Woman and Child, did that put 'em in the aisles!" Rodgers punt return vs OU in the Game of the Century, 1971
71 - DeJuan Groce's punt return against Miami in the National Championship game, 2002 (2001 season)
70 - Harry Meginnis returns a punt 70 yards against Iowa State for the game's only score and a 7-0 win in 1949
69 - Bobby Newcombe to Matt Davison as Nebraska pours it on Northwestern in the 2000 Alamo Bowl

 

 

 

 

 

 

69* - Jack Hoffman scores in the 2013 Spring Game
68 - Dennis Claridge's run vs. Auburn in the 1964 Orange Bowl
67 - Joe Orduna dances through the USC defense in 1967.
66 - Roy Helu lets Mizzou know it's gonna be a long day on NU's first play from scrimmage in 2010
65 - Tony Jeter catches a 65-yard pass early in the fourth quarter to help Nebraska defeat Minnesota 14-7 in 1963
64 - Jason Gamble seals the win against undefeated Oklahoma State on a pass from Travis Turner in 1984
63 - Black Flash 41 Reverse Pass, Stuntz to Crouch vs OU, 2001 (1:03 of the video)
62 - Gill to Fryar to help the Huskers escape Stillwater in 1983
61 - Jerry Tagge hooks up with Johnny Rodgers to beat Wake Forest 36-12 in 1961
60 - Eric Crouch adds a TD run to go along with a TD catch and TD throw against Cal in 1999
59 - Ahman Green scores his second TD in 88 seconds on his way to a 379 yard day against KState in 1997
58 - Ameer Abdullah runs through the entire McNeese State defense to score game-winning TD with less than a minute to play
57 - Alex Henery's game-winning field goal against Colorado in 2008 - note: This is a one-time exception to the TD requirement (2:04 of the video)
56 - Zac Lee pass to Niles Paul against Missouri, 2009, sparking the comeback 4th-quarter win.
55 - Mark LeFlore's pass from Jammal Lord against Missouri, 2003
54 - Jarvis Redwine against Kansas in 1979
53 - Nate Swift helps the Huskers beat RGIII and Baylor in 2008
52 - JR Superstar does it all, Rodgers pass to Frosty Anderson, 1973 Orange Bowl

51 - Imani Cross up the middle against Michigan State in 2013 (1:29 of the video)

50 - Humm to Rodgers during the 1973 Orange Bowl, The Slaughter of the Irish.
49 - Jordan Westerkamp catches a deflected pass from Ron Kellogg III on the final play to beat Northwestern in 2013
48 - Sophomore Fullback George Sauer rips through the line and races for the game-winning score to defeat Oklahoma 13-0 in 1931
47 - Calvin Jones starts off the rout as #8 NU routs #8 CU on a cold, rainy Halloween night, 1992
46 - The T-Mart era begins with a bang on his very first carry, vs. Western Kentucky 2010
45 - George Sauer scores from 45 yards in the opening three minutes as NU beat Missouri 26-0 in a driving rainstorm in Columbia in 1933
44 - Craig Sundberg runs in yet another TD as Nebraska wallops Minnesota 84-13 in 1983 - the Scoring Explosion year
43 - Steve Taylor's run put NU up 35-0 in the first quarter against #10 Oklahoma State in 1988
42 - Michael Booker INT return in title game against Florida (1995)
41 - Irving Fryar run vs. Minnesota in 1983 in the 84-point Explosion
40 - John O'Leary "The Bummeroosky" 1975 NU vs Mizzou.
39 - Carlos Polk interception return on the first play of the game against Colorado in 2000
38 - Martinez, 38 yard run on a QB draw vs. Wisconsin in 2012 (NU Homecoming). Second largest comeback win in NU history (2:25 point in the video)

37 - Kenny Bell's leaping, one-handed snag against Illinois in 2013
36 - Punt block/ return by Jim Moore and Lee Zentic in the '59' upset of OU.
35 - Steve Taylor to Todd Millikan to beat Troy Aikman and UCLA, 1987
34 - Reggie Baul's 34-yard reception against Florida State in the 1993 Orange Bowl - the Unfinished Business game
33 - Bobbie "Mr. Touchdown" Reynolds runs all over the field in what was officially a 33-yard run to beat Missouri in 1950
32 - John Brown to Avard Mandery to put the Huskers up 14-0 over Notre Dame in 1925
31 - Jason Peter with a scoop and score vs. Virginia Tech in 1996
30 - Ndamukong Suh steamrolls Colorado's Cody Hawkins near the goal line on an INT return, 2008
29 - Barry Turner scores on a pass from Joe Ganz on a fake FG vs Colorado in 2006 (2:05 of the video)
28 - Joe Ganz run against Colorado in 2007
27 - Barrett Ruud INT return vs. Texas A&M, 2003
26 - Bobby Reynolds' 2nd TD helped Nebraska to a 19-0 win over Penn State & new Asst. Joe Paterno (then a 23-year-old QB coach) in 1950
25 - TD by Ahman Green early in the 2nd qt of the 1997 Big12 championship vs. A&M (1:20 of the video)
24 - Jeff Smith's TD run off the option on 4th & 8 late in the 4th quarter of the 1984 Orange Bowl.
23 - Gerry Gdowski to Chris Garrett to beat Oklahoma in 1989
22 - Vince Ferragamo passes to Mark Dufresne in the 1976 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl vs. Texas Tech
21 - Eric Crouch blasts through an Iowa defender in 1999
20 - Joel Makovicka crazy never say die run, vs. Akron 1997
19 - Dean Steinkuhler's Fumbleroosky vs Miami, 1984 Orange Bowl
18 - Taylor Martinez up the middle in the largest comeback in school history (vs. Ohio St., 2011)
17 - Nate Swift's sweet catch in the endzone against Clemson in the 2008 Gator Bowl
16 - TD run by Bill Thornton in the 4th to seal a 25-13 victory against Michigan @ Ann Arbor in 1962.
15 - Barret Ruud fumble return provides the go ahead score in Pelini's debut as DC against Okie Lite in '03 (0:15 of the video)
14 - Cory Schlesinger's go ahead TD in the 1995 Orange Bowl vs. Miami
13 - Taylor to Nunn to beat Michigan for the 2005 Alamo Bowl (3:29 of the video)
12 - Frost to Davison off Wiggins' foot to save the Missouri game and keep the championship season alive, 1997 (1:15 of the video)
11 - Brook Berringer bails the Huskers out late against Wyoming in 1994
10 - Randy Garcia to Curtis Craig to spark a comeback win over North Carolina in the 1977 Liberty Bowl
9 - Zac Taylor to Maurice Purify in the corner of the end zone to beat A&M at Kyle Field, 2006
8 - Johnny Rodgers' hard-fought eight-yard run against ND in the 1973 Orange Bowl. (Bob Devaney's last game as head coach; 0:56 of the video)
7 - Eric Crouch runs it in to beat Notre Dame in overtime, 2000 (0:55 of the video)
6 - Steve Taylor run against #11 Florida State in 1986 to tie the game in the third quarter, one of four TDs Taylor accounted for that day in his first start and the first night game ever at Memorial Stadium (13:37 of the video)
5 - Rick Berns opens the scoring for Nebraska en route to a 17-14 win against top-ranked Oklahoma in 1978 - Osborne's first win over the Sooners
4 - Eric Crouch vs. Texas for the 1999 Big XII Championship (1:28 of the video)
3 - Roger Craig run to beat Marcus Dupree & Oklahoma in 1982
2 - Mike Rozier's back and forth and back again TD vs UCLA in 1983 (0:42 of the video)
1 - Jerry Tagge's QB sneak in the 1971 Orange Bowl for our first national championship 1/1/71 vs LSU

 

 

 

 

NOTE - Results not yet official.

 

 

 

 

[VA Husker Fan]

1 - Tagge's QB sneak in the 1971 Orange Bowl for our first national championship 1/1/71 vs LSU

 

2 - Rozier's back and forth and back again TD vs UCLA in 1983

2(alt) - Kinney's pounds it into the end zone for his 4th TD to beat OU in 1971

 

7 - Crouch runs it in to beat Notre Dame in overtime, 2000

 

63 - Black Flash 41 Reverse Pass, Stuntz to Crouch vs OU, 2001

 

72 - "Man, Woman and Child, did that put 'em in the aisles!" Rodgers punt return vs OU in the Game of the Century, 1971

 

75 - "How many tackles can one man break?" Frazier vs. Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl

 

77 - Rodgers breaks open the 1972 Orange Bowl vs Alabama with a punt return at the end of the first quarter

 

89 - Jarvis Redwine streaks down the sideline early in the 1980 OU game

 

95 - Crouch vs Missouri in 2001

[GSG]

I haven't been able to find anything over 95 yards.....

[VA Husker Fan]

12 - Frost to Davison off Wiggins' foot to save the Missouri game and keep the championship season alive, 1997

 

14 - Schlesinger's go ahead TD in the 1995 Orange Bowl vs. Miami

 

30 - Suh steamrolls Hawkins near the goal line on an INT return

 

46 - The T-Mart era begins with a bang on his very first carry, vs. Western Kentucky 2010

[Apathy]

Some members will probably post different TD's for the same number so should be vote on which one is more "memorable" or just list all of them for the same number?

 

For example for #1 some people would put down Tagge's 1yd TD against LSU in the 70' Title game while others would put the 1 yd run by Turner Gill in the 83' title game against Miami.

 

Good idea though

[VA Husker Fan]

52 - JR Superstar does it all, Rodgers pass to Frosty Anderson, 1973 Orange Bowl

 

92 - Rodgers punt return at Okie St, 1971

92 (alt) - Willie Ross kickoff return, 1962 Gotham Bowl

 

100 - Ron Clark kickoff return vs K State, 1949

[VA Husker Fan]

Some members will probably post different TD's for the same number so should be vote on which one is more "memorable" or just list all of them for the same number?

 

For example for #1 some people would put down Tagge's 1yd TD against LSU in the 70' Title game while others would put the 1 yd run by Turner Gill in the 83' title game against Miami.

 

Good idea though

Yeah, a vote on things like that would be great. Just trying to compile a list of contenders right now. But I can't see how a 2nd quarter sneak to bring a losing game closer matches the famous shot of Tagge leaning into the end zone, ball outstretched, late in our first championship game.

 

15 - Randy Schleusener fumbleroosky vs. OU, 1979

 

19 - Steinkuhler fumbleroosky vs Miami, 1984 Orange Bowl

 

94 - Craig Johnson run vs Kansas, 1979

94 (alt) - Roger Craig run vs Florida State, 1981

[knapplc]

Some members will probably post different TD's for the same number so should be vote on which one is more "memorable" or just list all of them for the same number?

 

For example for #1 some people would put down Tagge's 1yd TD against LSU in the 70' Title game while others would put the 1 yd run by Turner Gill in the 83' title game against Miami.

 

Good idea though

 

We're going to have to hash it out. The reason I made the thread is it gives me final say.

[knapplc]

Niles Paul had a 100-yard (like 101 or 102) kickoff return for a TD last year against Okie Lite in the first quarter, when the score was 7-6 Huskers. The reason nobody remembers it is that's the same play Eric Martin lit up that OK State kid, and Ed Cunningham had kittens, so instead of respecting Niles, they decided to focus on EMart's hit. Granted, the kid was hurt, but it entirely took away Niles' great run.

[VA Husker Fan]

9 - Taylor to Purify in the corner of the end zone to beat A&M at Kyle Field, 2006

 

69 - Newcombe to Davison as Nebraska pours it on Northwestern in the 2000 Alamo Bowl

 

82 - Rick Berns long TD run on the first play from scrimmage vs Missouri, 1978, the week after Osborne's first win over OU. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief that there's no letdown and Nebraska will contend for the championship in the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately, Missouri didn't follow the script.

[knapplc]

The list so far. The ones in bold would be my choices.

 

1 - Tagge's QB sneak in the 1971 Orange Bowl for our first national championship 1/1/71 vs LSU

2 - Rozier's back and forth and back again TD vs UCLA in 1983

2(alt) - Kinney's pounds it into the end zone for his 4th TD to beat OU in 1971

7 - Crouch runs it in to beat Notre Dame in overtime, 2000

9 - Taylor to Purify in the corner of the end zone to beat A&M at Kyle Field, 2006

12 - Frost to Davison off Wiggins' foot to save the Missouri game and keep the championship season alive, 1997

14 - Schlesinger's go ahead TD in the 1995 Orange Bowl vs. Miami

30 - Suh steamrolls Hawkins near the goal line on an INT return

46 - The T-Mart era begins with a bang on his very first carry, vs. Western Kentucky 2010

52 - JR Superstar does it all, Rodgers pass to Frosty Anderson, 1973 Orange Bowl

63 - Black Flash 41 Reverse Pass, Stuntz to Crouch vs OU, 2001

69 - Newcombe to Davison as Nebraska pours it on Northwestern in the 2000 Alamo Bowl

72 - "Man, Woman and Child, did that put 'em in the aisles!" Rodgers punt return vs OU in the Game of the Century, 1971

75 - "How many tackles can one man break?" Frazier vs. Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl

77 - Rodgers breaks open the 1972 Orange Bowl vs Alabama with a punt return at the end of the first quarter

82 - Rick Berns long TD run on the first play from scrimmage vs Missouri, 1978, the week after Osborne's first win over OU. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief that there's no letdown and Nebraska will contend for the championship in the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately, Missouri didn't follow the script.

89 - Jarvis Redwine streaks down the sideline early in the 1980 OU game

92 - Rodgers punt return at Okie St, 1971

92 (alt) - Willie Ross kickoff return, 1962 Gotham Bowl

95 - Crouch vs Missouri in 2001

100 - Ron Clark kickoff return vs K State, 1949

 

 

 

Two more for consideration:

95 - Hagg's return against Texas, 2010

100 - Niles Paul's kickoff return vs. Oklahoma State, 2010.

[Apathy]

1 - Jerry Tagge 1 yd TD to seal the deal against LSU in the 70' Orange Bowl

 

2 - Mike Rozier crazy TD run against UCLA in 83'

 

9 - Zac Taylor TD pass to Maurice Purify against Texas A&M in 06'

 

11 - Joel Makovicka TD run against Akron where he refused to be tackled in 97'

 

12 - Scott Frost TD pass to Matt Davison in 97'

 

21 - Eric Crouch runs over an Iowa DB for the score in 99'

 

30 - Suh interception against Colorado in 08'

 

31 - Eric Crouch TD run against Texas in the 99' Big 12 Championship game

 

49 - Suh interception against San Jose State in 08'

 

57 - Alex Henery field goal against Colorado in 08'

 

60 - Jamal Lord 60yd TD pass to Matt Herian against Texas in 02' and DeJuan Groce punt return against K-State in 01'

 

63 - Black 41 Flash Reverse Pass against OU in 01'

 

73 - Roy Helu Jr. TD run against Mizzou in 10'

 

75 - How many tackles can one man break Touchdown Tommie Frazier

 

77 - Johnny Rodgers punt return against Alabama in the 71' Orange Bowl

 

79 - Taylor Martinez TD pass to Kyler Reed against K-State in 10'

 

80 - Taylor Martinez TD run against Washington and K-State in 10'

 

88 - Nate Swift punt return against Virginia Tech in 08'

 

89 - DeJuan Groce punt return against Mizzou in 02'

 

95 - Eric Crouch TD run against Mizzou in 01'

 

100 - Niles Paul kickoff return against Oklahoma State in 10'

[huKSer]

57 - Ahman Green NU's first offensive play against CU goes for a TD in 1995

[Joe_5700]

85 yards-1999 punt return by Bobby Newcombe vs. Kansas. If that had not happened we could have easily lost that game. Oh yeah thanks for stealing my idea Knapplc!

[knapplc]

Found another one: Bobby Reynolds' 33-yard TD run vs. Missouri in 1950.

 

Reynolds was “a poet in motion, a Doak Walker type of highly intuitive runner who fakes them out of their shoes,” said writer Francis Wallace in a 1951 issue of Collier’s magazine. He showed his poetry in the Missouri vs. Nebraska game 1950. Bobby Reynolds scored three touchdowns for the Huskers; the last of the touchdowns became known as “Rampant Robert’s Peerless Jaunt.” He was credited with a 33-yard run to the goalposts, but he ran much farther than that. He ran up and down the field for over a 100 yards before finally crossing the goal line.

 

Bobby Reynolds’ “Peerless Jaunt” kicked Nebraska into national recognition and into the next half of the twentieth century.

LINK